Having cockroaches in your house is more than just an embarrassing problem that prevents you from inviting people over, but it is a health risk to you and your family. This is because cockroaches infest food and in doing so leave behind debris that contains bacteria such as salmonella, which can be harmful to your health. Additionally, cockroach infestations have been linked to allergies and asthma in children.

Due to these horrible risks, it is important that you apply a proper pest control method to ensure that the cockroach does not become a permanent guest in your home. Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures that don’t like to be seen (hence they scatter when the lights are turned on). If you can spot a cockroach during daylight, you can be sure there are more lurking in the dark that you can’t see.

Cockroaches are naturally attracted to environments in which they feel most comfortable. This will include areas that have a water source, a food source, and dark places to hide, ie your kitchen or pantry. However, there are certain approaches one can take to make your home uncomfortable for cockroaches and more satisfying for you.

Cut essential supplies
By fixing a leaky pipe or leaky sink, you will help not only conserve water, but also shut off the water supply to cockroaches. Eliminate their food source by making sure there are no easy-to-reach open food containers in your cupboards or pantry. Place pantry staples like pasta, grains, dried fruit, and baking essentials in airtight containers. Quickly get rid of stubborn food crumbs from your countertops, trash cans, floors, and dirty dishes.

Cut your entrance
You can get rid of roach hiding places and entry points by sealing cracks and crevices where roaches are thought to enter the house. Use weather stripping and caulking to block these nooks and crannies.

Beyond prevention
If you’re experiencing a full-blown roach infestation, you’ll need to apply more than simple preventative measures to get them out of your home. Cleaning definitely helps, but cockroaches are persistent and can live a month or more without food, so don’t expect them to go away because the kitchen was clean for one night. For cockroaches, traps are often needed to ensure they are completely exterminated.

Traps. Baited traps are beneficial because they attract the roach instead of relying on the insect to trip over the trap. Sticky traps also work well, giving you clues to the main infestation locations so you can zero in on a specific area of ​​the house. Cockroaches primarily travel in dark places and near walls, so locating traps in the general area of ​​travel is the best option for sneakily catching cockroaches.

chemicals Chemicals can be used, but mostly as a last resort, especially if the infestation is in your kitchen. You don’t want to risk poisoning any food or surfaces where food is prepared. Always read the label before using any chemical and be sure to avoid using it where children or pets can access it. Boric acid is a pest control chemical that many use because cockroaches don’t develop immunity to it like they do to other poisons. Boric acid dries out cockroaches instead of poisoning them.

By using the pest prevention methods outlined above and contacting a pest control expert if the situation gets out of hand, you can make your home uninhabitable again for you and your family, and uninhabitable for cockroaches.